A Company's Gift; A Community's Treasure

A Company's Gift; A Community's Treasure

The new wing is the largest space in the world devoted to the display and creation of contemporary art and design in glass.

One of the greatest contributions Corning has made to the art world throughout its long history was the creation of the Corning Museum of Glass.

The not-for-profit museum, located near the company’s Global Headquarters in Corning, N.Y., was founded in 1951 by the then-Corning Glass Works, as a gift to the nation for the company’s 100th anniversary. It has been the gift that has kept on giving for more than 60 years as the museum has welcomed and entertained millions of visitors with the world’s most comprehensive and celebrated glass collection in the world.

“Being one of the world’s leading innovators in materials science, including glass, Corning fully supports the museum’s mission of telling the world about glass by engaging, educating, and inspiring visitors and the community through the art, history, and science of glass,” said Jim Flaws, Corning’s chief financial officer and chairman of the CMoG board of directors.

The museum’s unique galleries contain art and historical glass dating back to antiquity, displays of contemporary art and design in glass, exciting hot glass shows, and interactive exhibits. In addition, the museum houses the Rakow Library – a world-class library on glass and glass objects.

The museum also serves as a cultural and community center which contributes mightily to the local economy.

“Corning believes in the long-term investment into this cultural institution which is part of our commitment to the viability of the community,” Flaws said.

"Corning believes in the long-term investment into this cultural institution which is part of our commitment to the viability of the community." — Jim Flaws, Corning’s former chief financial officer and chairman of the CMoG board of directors

In March 2015, the museum opened a new wing as the largest space in the world devoted to the display and creation of contemporary art and design in glass. The $64-million expansion was fully funded by Corning and features a 100,000-square-foot addition, which includes a 26,000-square-foot gallery space and a 500-seat live glass demonstration facility.

“There is no organization in the world that does a better job of demonstrating the countless applications of glass or communicating its importance to our history and our culture,” said Wendell Weeks, Corning chairman and CEO, at the ribbon cutting. “The latest expansion builds on that tradition.”